GameStop announces new esports venue, GameStop Performance Center

GameStop has announced it is partnering with Complexity Gaming to develop a brand new esports venue in Frisco, Texas, USA, called the GameStop Performance Center.

As reported by Engadget (thanks, Gamasutra), the 11,000 square-foot premises will act as both Complexity Gaming’s new headquarters as well as a public gaming venue. GameStop is also purportedly planning to run “game clinics” at the venue to help players improve their skills in competitive games like Fortnite and Overwatch, as well as host amateur competitions there, too.

The venue will also be shared with the Dallas Cowboys given Complexity Gaming is part-owned by Cowboys owner, Jerry Jones. It is expected to open in May later this year.

GameStop is also is partnering with the Collegiate Star League to host on- and offline esports tournaments, as well as Overwatch parties. Those events will reportedly boast exclusive content, merchandise, and other activities.

In its financial report for FY2019’s Q2 that ended August 4th, total global sales for GameStop decreased by 2.4 per cent, in line with expectations, down to $1.65 billion (£1.28bn). The particular issue was software sales – down 18.5 per cent for new titles, thanks to there being not many notable releases, and a fall of 9.9 per cent for used game sales.

Hardware sales, however, were driven to a growth spurt of some 20.1 per cent thanks to the Xbox One X making its way through its launch period and picking up new owners, while the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 continued to enjoy strong numbers. At the time of this financial report, GameStop management revealed it was looking at options for third-parties “regarding a possible transaction” – that being, to sell the company. George Sherman was appointed as CEO earlier this month.

About Vikki Blake

It took 15 years of civil service monotony for Vikki to crack and switch to writing about games. She has since become an experienced reporter and critic working with a number of specialist and mainstream outlets in both the UK and beyond.